Container sealing apparatus



Dec. 30, 1947. E. M. ENKUR ET AL CONTAINER SEALING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 5, 1940 Dec. 30, 1947. E. M. ENKURYET AL CONTAINER SEALING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 3, 1940 awuwvtom T I V) N v Q Leo FPQJJ,

LouLs .Lm.

.. M mm N Dec. 30, 1947. E. M. ENKUR ET AL CONTAINER SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 266 2&5

7 o O O O w 4 n on 0 O O 0 O Leo F ahL.

Louis L we.

Dec. 30, 1947. E. M. ENKUR ET AL 9 CONTAINER SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 11:; v 1 mm.

Dec. 30, 1947.

E. M. ENKUR ET AL CONTAINER SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Leo F. P

Dec. 30, 1947. E. M. ENKUR ET AL CONTAINER SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 5, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 30, 1947. E. M. ENKUR ET AL 2,433,549

CONTAINER SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Dec. 30, 1947. E. M. ENKUR ET AL 2,

CONTAINER SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Fig. 12. 71 7:2

69 I 76 I 5 mm .57 75 74 WA i\ f\i 69 a 1- w Q Patented Dec. 30, 1947 FFlCE CONTAINER SEALING APPARATUS Edward M. Enkur, Leo F. Pahi, and Louis L. Lauve, Baltimore, Md., assignors to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 351,004

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to container sealing apparatus.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an efficient apparatus for applying a cap to a filled container and then moving the cap to sealed position without interference with the forward movement of the container.

The usual apparatus for applying caps to moving containers for subsequent sealing comprises a belt or the like which moves the filled containers beneath an in lined cap chute positioned at such height that the leading mouth portion of the advancing container will engage the depending or leading portion or the skirt of the downwardly inclined cap. The cap is then released from the cap chute and its trailing portion drops downwardly to a fairly levelled or applied position upon the container mouth.

It will be understood by those skilled in the capping art that the terms levelled and applied," as used above and elsewhere in this specification refer to the position assumed by the cap on the container mouth by its weight alone. In such position, the cap will usually be slightly tilted due to the fact that some points, such as lugs or the like, on the skirt may be of smaller diameter than the outside diameter of the container mouth. However, when levelled upon the container, as is understood in the art, at least the lower edge of the cap skirt is aligned with the cap mouth, even though it may be tilted on the cap mouth.

The arrangement to control the cap during the above applying or levelling operation is of extreme importance because some difficulties are involved in handling the cap during such movement without losing complete control of it. Obviously, if control of the cap is lost during the so-called levelling action, the cap will slide, either forwardly or sidewise, off of the container, or it may move sufficiently far forward upon the mouth of the container that its skirt will not be in substantial circular alignment with the container mouth.

Numerous types of mechanisms have been developed for enabling a cap to be removed from an inclined chute and levelled upon a moving container but most such mechanisms require careful adjustment by experienced operators for each different size of cap. More specifically, most of the prior devices rely principally upon the pressure of the levelling devices to exert exactly the required downward force to control movement of the cap from the tilted position, which it has in the chute, to the substantially horizontal position which it has after being applied to the container, the degree of downward force for differen cap sizes being adjusted by varying either weights or leverage devices. If too much downward force is exerted, dimculty will be involved (Cl. 226-88.l)

in the initial removal of the cap from the chute by the moving container. On the other hand, if too little downward force is exerted upon the cap, it may slide forwardly and entirely off of the container during the effort to apply it to the container.

The mechanism of the present invention for controlling themovement of caps from an inclined chute to a container exerts an adequate force upon a substantial area of the top wall of the cap throughout the removal and levelling operation, it having been found that caps get out of control during this operation primarily because of the limited contact of the cap with the container throughout the process. More particularly, from the time that the container first contacts with the leading portion of the cap skirt until the cap is levelled upon the container, the only contact between the two is at a central point on their leading edges. The cap thus has a marked tendency to tilt sidewise or slide forward from this single point contact. We have found that if the levelling device acts upon a substantial area of the top wall of the cap, the cap will not tilt sidewise. We further provide adequate pressure to prevent forward sliding of the cap, with means to enable this pressure to be quickly and easil adjusted for caps of different sizes.

Another important feature of this mechanism of our invention is the provision of means to hold the cap upon the container until the subsequent sealing operation. In prior machines, after the cap has been applied or levelled, the container has carried it out of contact with the levelling device and the cap and container move to the sealing device with the cap usually tilted at an angle. At the movement that the cap moves out of contact with the levelling device the latter slides off the trailing portion of the cap and the cap is apt to be tilted entirely off the container. Also, if a capping element of the endless belt or chain type is used, it-is possible for an applied cap to be knocked oil the container mouth when the leading edge of the cap comes into contact with the continuously moving belt, particularly if the cap is markedly tilted with respect to the container.

Our invention includes means to contact with the cap and firmly hold it upon the container from a. time prior to the movement of the cap from the levelling device until it fully contacts with the sealing device.

The above improvement is of substantial value with any combination of levelling device and capping means and is of particular importance in that it removes difliculties heretofore encountered with endless belt capping devices. Endless belt capping devices have substantial advantages over other types due to the fact that containers may be presented to them in irregularly spaced container mouth.

- sealed upon the containers,

ing the movement of the containers holding mechanism belt 01 appiiedto a cap leaves the control of anlsm. -"1he.-endless element will then iurther an'arrangcment whereby assam p a relation. All other require that containers be spaced or timed relation and'in tainer contents any timing Inits'p'resent bodily flexible container will contact before such the cap app y l mechacttolevelthecapuponthecontsinerandwill container .until the cap is moved to sealed position.

Another oblect of the invention is to provide cape may be constantly and smoothly deiiveredto a cap applying means, and which is of such be readily adlusted to handle caps of various m t tus may be generally described as follows: {laps Cofthe typeshowninrigures'lto lilarepiaced in tray 82 with their skirts downward and are move'd'by hand to the inclined chute 23 of the construction that it may tray so as to slide down upon the central portion of a continuously rotating disc It. notation of the disc 2 in a counter ciockwise direction in. 2) will cause the caps to be moved outwardly on the disc adjacent its periphery andthrough' an outlet portion it to move upon a continuously moving endless chain ll (1"ig.'4c) which will conduct the cap to the left in Figures 1 and 2 between suitable lateral and top guiding members comprising a cap passageway 21. The cap passageway 21 terminates in an inclined chute II (Fig. 4b) forming a continuation of the cap passageway. Chute It is also provided with lateral and top guide means and terminates in a cap applying or leveling mechanism 2| best shown in Figures 7 to 10.

Containers B are delivered to the machine upon an endless conveyor is. (Fig. i) and move toward the left beneath the structure described immediately above to come in contact with the lowermost cap in the applying or leveling mechanisnillasindicatedinl isiu'es'lto l0.-Atthe time that the container contacts with the skirt of the lowermost cap, the side walls of the container will be firmly engaged by opposed endless belts included in the container centering mechanism Ii best shownin Figure 4b sons to preventthe container from being tilted backwardly as it contacts with the lowermost cap in the ,chute 2!.

' other objects of the invention Immediately before the cap moves out of conwill be apparentfrom wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine; Figure 2 is a top viewof the machine: Figure 3 is a top plan the following Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, taken together. comprise a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a portion of the tering element the cap leveling device in loosely applying a cap to a container.

, view of the inclined portion of'the cap feeding chute;

tact with the applying mechanism ",its upper surface will be engaged by an endless fabric belt '82 which further levels and holds the cap upon the container. Belt I! moves along the outer surface of a capping element 31 of a construction generally similar to that disclosed in the Patent 5 heights. In order that Figure 11 isa transverse vertical sectional view d on the line li-'-ii of Figure 417;

'Figure 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line il-II of Figures 2 and 4a; and

Figure 13 is a sectional view of the applying leveling mechanism, taken on theline iS-lt of Figure 7.

In' the following description of the invention, the apparatus is described as operating to apply andseai skirted caps such as shown at C in Figures '7 to to containers B having a hori-v sontally projecting shoulder or ring S on their mouths M, the cap skirt being sufllclently resilient that inwardly projecting lugsat the lower end of the cap shirt will engage beneath the shoulder B when the cap is in sealed position. Such caps are provided with st sealing .ring or disc on the under side of their top-wall to bear upon the top edge of the container mouth M to form an air-tight seal. It will be understood that the apparatus may be used with numerous other typ s of caps.

' The construction and operation of the appara- No, 2,256,415,1ssued September 16, 1941, on an t application of Robert J. Stewart for. Container sealing apparatus. element It being vertically adjustable to operate upon containers of various is of greater length then the inner capping belt II, will move at substantially the same speed as vthe latter belt. a tensioned roller 34 is provided at the outer end of belt 32 and a weighted roller 35 is provided above capping element 33 to hold the upper run of fabric belt 32 in contact with the capping element 33.

- Referring in detail to the construction of the apparatus, the machine preferably includes a table or base portion In which forms a continuous support for the endless container supporting conveyor 30.

I The endless conveyor 30 for supporting containers is of the construction best shown in Flanres 4a and .8. That is, it is termed 0! a plurality of pivotally connected links it, each link including spaced ears it which have a plate 41 of substantially greater width than the link integrally formed thereon. The upper run of the conveyor I is adapted to have the outer-edges of its plates 41 supported upon the inwardly'prolooting and horizontal portions 48 of angle irons which are suitably spaced to form a channel I extending along the table or base 40. As indicated in Figure 6, the lower run of the conveyor moves along the bottom of the channel 49."

Referring to Figure 1, a-motor I0 and a speed reducer ii including a driven shaft 82 are supported upon the under side of the table Q0. The

the fabric belt 32, which amuse driven shaft 52 of the speed reducer is provided table 4|i.- The links of the container supporting conveyor is move about a-sprocket wheel secured to shaft 59.

In order to support the various mechanisms which apply caps and seal them upon the containers at a suitable height above the container supporting element 30, the machine includes a longitudinally extending superstructure 51 shown in Figures 1 and 2 and including spaced bars 59 extending from the infeed end of the apparatus to the nuts I2 and 14 so that the entire superstructure may be raised or-lowered, the links II to 92 holding the super-structure parallel to the surface of the supporting conveyor 30 and table at any point to which the super-structure may be elevated. The threaded drive included in the above gearing will rigidly hold the super-structure in any position. 1

The tray 22 upon which caps are placed by the operator for subsequent movement through the apparatus is flat with upstanding side walls and to the capping mechanism, while a plate element 59 comprises the superstructure for the capping mechanism. The superstructure 51 is supported above the table 40 by means of pairs of heavy links BL. 92 and 63 spaced from the outfeed to the infeed end of the machine, each pair of links comprising a link on each side of the supporting table and superstructure. ure 4a, the links iii are pivotally mounted at their lower ends on a shaft 85 hereinafter described As best shown in Fig-' ture bars 58. In this position, the lower edge of.

which is provided adj acent the outfeed end of the machine. As-shown in Figures 4a and 11, the lower ends of the links 62 are journalled on a pin 86 extending through the side walls of the table 49, while as best shown in Figures 4c and s, the links as are pivotally mounted at their 3 lower ends upon a shaft 81 adjacent the infeed end of the machine. The upper ends of the links 9| (Fig. 4a) are pivotally supported upon a shaft 98 journalled in the superstructure plate 59. Referring to Figure 4b, the upper ends of 82 are pivotally connected to pins 89 extending through plate 59 while. as shown in Figures and 6, the links 83 are pivotally mounted on indie secured to the superstructure bars 58.-

It ll thus be observed that the links 6| to 93 support the superstructure in parallel relation with the upper surface of the table 49.

In order that the superstructure 51 may be supported at a fixed height and its height adjusted with respect to base '40, the structure shown in Figures 4a and 12 is provided. This construction is similar to that disclosed in said Stewart patent and comprises a pair of rotatable threaded shafts H and I2 extending between the base or table and the superstructure. The upper and threaded ends of the shafts 1| and 12 are threaded in collar nuts 13 and 14, respectively,

wardly extending bosses 84 provided on brackets 40 and, as best shown in Figure 5, is supported upon fixed to the ends of a pin 15 which is journalled 5 in the superstructure plate 59. The lower and unthreaded ends of the shafts H and 12 are journalled in upward extensions 16 of a bracket 11 which extends beneath table 40. Bracket 11 is pivotally supported with respect to table 49 on a 6 pin I8 extending through the table and into its upward extensions. The :lournalled portions of the shafts H and 12 are reduced so as to provide a shoulder bearing upon the upper surface extreme lower ends of the shafts II and 12 are provided with bevelled pinions 19 which mesh with spaced bevelled pinions 89 fixed to a cross shaft 8| journalled in downward extensions of bracket 11. Both ends of the shaft 8| are squared 7 II and 12 to simultaneously rotate with respect :5

the links 35 the inclined chute portion 29 through which the caps are moved by the operator to the disc 24 is rigid with the remainder of the tray. Tray 22 is normally in the position shown in solid lines in Figure 1, with its bottom wall resting upon upstanding elements 95 secured to the super-structhe downwardly inclined outfeed portion 23 is immediately above the surface of the rotating disc 24 so that when the group of caps in the tray 22 is moved toward and down inclined chute 23, the caps will slide directly onto the disc. In order that the operating parts of the machine which are immediately beneath the tray 22 will be accessible for adjustment, the tray 22 is connected to the elements by pairs of links 88.

One end of each link is pivotally connected to the associated upstanding element 85 as indicated in Figure 1 and the opposite end thereof is pivotally connected to a lug extending downwardly from the tray. The tray may thus be swung upwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1. being maintained in this position by reason of the fact that the lower ends of one or more of the links 89 are lengthened to contact with a stop pin 81 provided on an upstanding element 85.

The rotatingcap feeding disc 24 has the function of arranging the caps in a linear formation a central downwardly extending shaft 9ll journalled in a casing 9| secured to one of the super structure bars 58 at the infeed end of the machine. Shaft 9|! is connected by bevel gearing to a horizontal and transverse shaft 92 journalled in the casing 9| and in a bracket 93 secured to the other super-structure bar 58. Shaft 92 has a. sprocket wheel 94 fixed thereto which, as best shown in Figure 4c, is driven by a sprocket chain 95 extending about a second sprocket wheel 98 on the shaft 10. Shaft I9 is journalled within the brackets 65a to which the links 63 are pivotally connected. Both casings 9| and 93am held upon the bars 59 in a manner to permit of longitudinal adjustment to adjust the tension of chain 95. Shaft 10 also has fixed thereto a sprocket wheel 91 en- .gaged by a sprocket chain 98 driven through a o sprocket wheel 99 fixed to shaft 81. Shaft 61 bracket extensions I6 as shown in Figure 12. The 5 is provided at its opposite end with a sprocket wheel ||l| driven by a sprocket chain I02 which, as best shown in Figure 1, is directly driven by a sprocket wheel I03 on the driven shaft 52 of speed reducing-mechanism 5|.

As indicated in Figure 6, an overload clutch I05 may be provided on the shaft 91 to prevent damage to the drive in the event that a jam occurs.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 5, a cover plate H0 is mounted above the disc 24, the cover plate being cut out at its central portion as indicated at H l to permit caps moving downwardly through the inclined chute 23 to drop upon the central portion of the disc. The cover plate is supported at a height above the disc very slightly reater I ht the caps by means of arms such best shown in Figures 2 and 6, are supported upon l l ge ciifed t e the flxed casing 3|. An upthreaded shafts I32 Journalled in trunnions I33 wardly Projecting flange H3 is formed at the edge secured to the upper surface of plate H8. The of the central cut out I of cover plate H in shafts I32 are reduced at their central portion order to brace the same and also to prevent caps 5 to support apertured carriers I34 having top guide from sliding up upon the cover plate. strips I35 secured to their lower surfaces by bolts.

In operation, the disc is rotated at a sufll- As indicated in Figure 4c, the carrier I34 nearest ciently high speed that caps dropped upon the the infeed of passageway 21 pivotally carries a top same from the chute 23 will be moved by com gate 321 through which upside-down caps may trifugal action toward the periphery of the disc be removed from the passageway. The free end and into contact with a depending flange III of gate 321 rests on the cover plate III! of disc 24. at the outer edge of the cover plate (Figure 5). The top guide'stri's I35 and gate 321 are posi- 'Caps thus positioned will move along the outer tioned at such height with respect to the chain 26 side of a depending flange Ill spaced inwardly hat h y will p v n caps from climbing upon from flange Ill at a distance slightly greater than each other under the action of the chain. Since the diameter of the caps being handled. The the top uid st ip I35 s s ply secured to the inner flange 5 preferably extends about one-half carrier lugs I36 by scr w strips of different verof the diameter of disc 24 and is aligned with tlcal thi n ss ay e read ly providedupon the a finger II5a (Figure 2) pivoted on a side guide machine to coact with caps of diflerent height. strip I3I hereinafter described as forming part of The portions of the shafts I32 immediately beyond passageway 21. The outer flange I I 4 extend to the reduced central portion are threaded in oppoe b d rt of NI are carried on these oppositely threaded porga igzggf hemmuitr d Sp as a p tions so that rotation of the shafts I32 will cause It will be noted that 1: elements Illa and Ba 25 the side strips to simultan ou ly move either todeflne an outlet path 26 along which the caps Ward away f each other to n a ly D move from the disc 26 to the passageway 21, tan- $1011 c ps f Va iz s pon the plate "6. gentla] t th disc d preferabl t n angle The mannerin which the shafts I32 are rotated is t the passageway 21, a a hereinafter described.

Referring to Figures 5 and 4c, a plate H6 is As best indicated in Figures 412 and 4c, conpivotally supported adjacent its infeed end on a sidered ether, caps movin off the chain 26 H6 includes an extension I40 (Figure 4b) to passageway C t 28 is fixed upon the extenm t chute 23 is flxod Extension my is sion I40 of plate II6. As has been heretofore provided with a downwardly projecting lug m stated, extension i 'i lu s a depending lug grooved and the upper run of endless chain or 40 end of chute 28. The upper surface of extension bearing upon the bottom wall I2I of the groove. extends dOWnWardly P the lower edge of the The upper surface of the top run of chain 26 extension A t p-guide strip I 46 and side projects very slightly above the surface of th uide strips I41 and I48 are supported in proper such form that no sharp projection win be re- 5o strip I46 and the side guide strips I41 and I 48 if their movement is not impeded. Chain 26 5 ay be removed and astrip of different thickness of plate H6 and is also journalled in the casings In order that the side guide strips I30 and I 3| ill and 93. Shaft I24 is driven from the shaft and I41 and I48 may all be simultaneously ad- 92 (Figure 5) by a sprocket chain I25. Figure 4c 'justed together, the shafts I49 associated with the illustrates a tensioning device I26 which acts upon inclined chute 28 and the shafts I32 associated the lower run of the chain 26. The shaft I21 with the horizontal portion of passageway 21 are which .carries the idler sprocket I23 is suitably connected by sprocket chains I55 moving about mounted in the super-structure bars 58. small sprocket wheels on the shafts, the arrangebottom wall or the. cap passageway 21 and in In order that the two end sprocket chains I55- the plate: These strips guide the caps from the mounted on rods H1 in super-structure bars 56 gers or arms H411 and I lid to a point adjacent so as to hea against the lower runs of these two the chute 28 of the cap passageway 21 and, as chains I 55.

an arm IIla pivoted on the infeed end of a side ite directions and the side guide strips I30 and transverse shaft I24, and the other end of plate are directed into the inclined chute portion 28 of In order that the position of the side guide strips I30 and I 3| and I41 and I48 may be readily changed to a proper position for any desired size of cap, the end of shaft I40 of Figure 3 is squared as at 322 to receive an operating handle. The lower run of the central chain I55 is engaged by a large sprocket wheel I60 illustrated in Figure l which serves to tension that chain. Wheel I60 is journalled upon a stud I6I' suitably supported from the super-structure bars 58. The wheel is provided with numbered indicia corresponding to the standard sizes of the caps and the arrangement is such that when any number upon the wheel I60 is aligned with a fixed pointer I64, the series of side guide strips will be positioned to properly guide caps of that size along the passageway 21 including chute 28.

Referring to Figure 3 and to Figures '1 to and 13, at its lower end th plate I45 has secured to its upper surface a bracket I10 which is of generally inverted U-shaped form including depending side legs HI and a top plate I12. The side guide strips I 41 and I48 associated with chute 28 include inwardly projecting flanges or ledges I41a at their lower edges upon which the edges of the caps move during their travel down the inclined chute. The side strips I 41 and I48 extend through the bracket I10 and on past the edge of the base plate I45 and the lower ledge I411: 01 each side strip has an angled stop plate I13 secured to its extreme lower portion, an upwardly bent portion of the plate extending upwardly on an angle past the upper surface of the ledge with the result that a stop "3:1 is provided at the lower end of each side guide strip. Because the plates I13 are carried by the side strips I41 and I48, their upward extensions or stops I 13a will contact with the cap skirts at a point only slightly in advance of the transverse diameter of the cap as indicated in Figure 7 and a substantial portion of the cap will project past the stops I13a.

In order to hold the lowermost cap in chute 28 downwardly into contact with the lower ledges I41a of the side strips and also to assist in leveling the cap upon a container, a presser I is pivoted on a pin I 16a between the vertical legs "I of the bracket I10. As shown in Figures 9 and 13, presser I15 includes two fingers I16 extending downwardly from its pivot to a point adjacent the stops I'13a and the lower ends of these fingers bear upon the top surface of the lowermost cap in the chute. An upward extension I11 projects beyond the pivot of element I15 and a set screw I18 threaded in the plate portion I12 of bracket I10-"contacts with the upper surface of this extension to limit its upward swinging movement and thereby limit the downward movement of the fingers I16. The weight of the fingers I16 is sufficient to hold the lowermost cap downwardly against the stop elements I13 against the weight or tendency of the other caps in the chute to force the lowermost cap over the stop elements. However, t e fingers I16 will lift with the lowermost cap w en a container raises the caps above the stop elements as shown in Figure 8 and as hereinafter described.

In order that the lowermost cap will be substantially leveled upon the container which removes the same from the chute 28, a wiper element I 80 is also pivotally mounted upon the pin I16a. As best shown in Figure 13 the wiper I80 includes a tongue portion I8I arranged at an angle to a bar portion I82, the bar portion being provided with an aperture to surround the pivot pin I'16a. The bar portion I82 lies above and between the fingers I 16 of presser element I15 while the tongue portion I8I is positioned beyond the fingers I16 of presser element I 16 but inclined upwardly from the fingers. As illustrated in Figure 7, when the lowermost cap in the chute is in contact with the stop elements I13a, the extreme rearward portion of tongue I8I will bear upon the top wall of the cap. Wiper element I'is urged to this normal position by means of a spring loaded yoke I04. As shown in Figure 4b, yoke I84 has a spring I85 connected to its free end, the opposite end of the spring being secured to a threaded stud I86 mounted in a bracket I81 carried on an under side of the chut base plate I45. The upward movement of the extreme upper portion of the wiper I80 is limited by a set screw I88 threaded in the top plate I 12 of bracket I10. In order that the upward swinging movement of the presser I15 will be resiliently limited, a leaf spring I00 is fixed on top wall I12 of bracket I10 in a position to contact with the upturned edge of a metal plate IOI fixed to lugs I02 on the fingers I16 of presser I15. The plate IOI is mounted below the pivot I16a of the presser element I15 so that it will contact with the spring I00 when the presser is raised by the upward tilting of a cap above the stop elements I13, as shown in Figure 8. The tension of the spring I00 is adjusted by means 01' a set screw I03. In order to center the caps with the containers as the caps are withdrawn from the cap chute 28, the lower portions of the side guide strips I41 and I 48 are angledas indicated at I06 are pivoted upon these extensions by means of pins I01. The free ends of each of'the arms I06 are urged toward each other by means of a light coil spring I08 suitable mounted on the pins.

The operation of the presser I15 and wiper I80 during the removal of the lowermost cap'is illustrated in Figures '1 to 10. Referring to Figure 7, the lowermost cap in the chute normally rests against the stops "3a, which are at the extreme lower end of the cap carrying edges I41a of each sid strip I41 and I48, the height of the lower end of the chute 28 with respect to the container supporting conveyor 30 being so adjusted by operation of the thumb screw I 42 that the depending leading portion of the skirt of the cap C will be engaged by the leading portion or the mouth M of the container B. It will be observed that because the cap supporting ledges I 41a terminate I at the stops Him, a clear path for the movement of the containers will be provided below the stops.

When the cap is in the above described posi- 5 tion the fingers I16 of the presser element I15 will bear against laterally spaced points very slightly in advance of the transverse diameter 01' the cap, this contact of the fingers being merely a point contact. In other words, the extreme lower corners of the spaced fingers have contact with the top wall of a cap along a transverse line very slightly in advance of the transverse axis of the cap. At the same time, the extreme upper edge of the lower surface of wiper tongue I 8| will bear upon the top wall of a cap immediately in ad vance of the fingers. This portion of the tongue is rounded so that the cap may rock beneath the same, as hereinafter described.

As indicated in Figure 8, during the initial portion of the removal of a cap C from a chute, the lower portion of the cap will be tilted upwardly so that its skirt will be entirely clear of the stops I13a, thetrailing portion of the skirt ofthe cap simultaneously sliding downwardly on the ledges NM. The upward tilting of the cap will cause the I06, and arms sealed position upon the container l1 presser fingers I18 and the wiper tongue m to be raised, but immediately the skirt of the cap clears the stops I180, the edge of plate l8l on the fingers "8 will contact with the leaf spring I88 so as to exert a stronger downward pressure on the cap. This pressure, together with the prestainer to the position shown in Figure 9, while the drop upon the next succeeding cap, as shown in the same figure, to hold the succeeding cap against the stops "3a. The cap being removed from the chute by the container will be urged to the leveled position shown in Figure 9 by the wiper tongue 18!, which continues to bear upon the top wall of the cap until the forward portion of the cap comes into contact presser flngers I18 will with the endless belt 82 hereinafter described.

1 It will be understood thatif the belt 82 is not provided, presser I and tongue "I will normally serve to adequately level the cap upon the mouth of the container.

It will also be observed that the centering arms I88 are of suflicient vertical height adjacent their pivots that the cap cannot slide sidewise during any portion of its above described movement-from the chute.

Another advantageous feature of our cap feed control described above is that both of the elements I18 and I88 bear upon the cap merely on transverse lines. Thus. the cap is free to rock on a transverse axis while moving from the position of Figure 1 to that shown in Figure 9, but because the elements I15 and H0 bear upon the caps along fairly long transverse lines, th cap cannot tilt along a line longitudinally of the chute 28 during its removal. It will be noted that during the greater portion of the movement of the cap from the Figure '1 position to that of Figure 9,

the bottom edge of the skirt of the can is only supported on a line extending longitudinally of the chute 28, i. e., by the inner edges of the ledges l 41:; and by the leading portion of the container mouth. it being necessary to cut away the bottom wall of such a chute to permit the container to contact with the cap skirt. Hence, if the cap is of substantial diameter. it is very apt to tilt on a line longitudinally'of the chute unless equalized downward pressure is exerted upon it at this time at points on its top wall adiacentits skirt. The width of the bearing surfaces of the elements i1! and I88 provides such contact. The centering arms I98 assist in preventing tilting.

It will be observed from Figure '1 that the lower end of chute 28 is at such height with respect to the surface of conveyor 88 that the lower edge of the skirt of the lowermost cap will contact with the mouth M of a container well down along the mouth wall and that the cap will therefore, until it is sealed. be tilted forwardly upon the container mouth. This. is the most desirable position in which to deliver a cap to an endless belt c l p In order to further level the cap under the container and also prevent it from being iarred loose prior to the time that it is moved to a moutht e ellng and holding endless belt 82, preferably of fabric or other bodily flexible material, will contact with the can just prior to the time that the wiper I88 drops off the trailing portion of thecap. As best indicated in Figure 10, the belt 82 moves about a roll or pulley 288 carried by a bracket 28!. As shown in Figure 4b, the lower run of the belt 82 is normally horizontal, but the diameter of roll 288 is sufficiently large that the forwardly and downwardly tilted cap moves easily beneath the roll and belt 32 to lift the roll as shown in Figure 10. After the cap has moved from beneath the roll the belt will exert sumcient force to hold the cap in the same slightly tilted or leveled" position. upon at least the leading portion of the top wall of the cap at the time that the wiper I88 moves of! the trailing portion prevents the cap being tilted upwardly at its leading portion when the wiper I88 finally contacts only with the extreme trailing portion of the cap, as will occur when the cap finally moves clear of the tongue I".

In order to prevent the containers from being tilted backwardly bytheir initial engagement with the lowermost cap in the chute, at the point illustrated in Figure 'l, we provide the centering and holding structure 8| best illustrated'in Figure 4b. This structure is particularly desirable in the handling of full containers having a small base.

The container centering mechanism is fully disclosed in our above-mentioned divisional application, filed November 6, 1944, but may be generally described for purposes of the present description as comprising two sets of driven belts 2E8 positioned on each side of the longitudinal center line of the container supporting conveyor 38. As shown in Figure 4b, each set of belts comprises an upper belt and a lower belt adapted to contact with a container at vertically spaced points on the side wall of the container. The centering structure is supported on the superstructure bars 58.

Referring to Figures 4a, 4b, 11 and 12, the levbelt 82 and sealing belt 88 operate together, with the leveling belt surrounding the sealing belt as generally Steward patent. The sealing belt 88 is of a construction similar to that disclosed in the Stewart patent and comprises pairs of links 218 and 21f pivotally supported from the plate 58 of the nalled between their lower ends to support a.

sprocket 218. Shaft 218 carries a smaller sprocket 218 which is driven by means of a sprocket chain 211 which extends upwardly to engage a corresponding sprocket wheel 218- on the shaft 88, Shaft 88 in turn carries a second sprocket driven by a chain 218 which encircles the sprocket wheel 288 on the shaft 88. As best shown in Figure 2, shaft 85 carries a pinion 28812 which meshes with a pinion 28f on the shaft" and shaft 88 is driven from the speed reduction mechanism 8! through the drive chain 88.

Sprocket 215 drives the capping belt 88 to move the same about the idler sprocket 213. The lower ends of the links 218 and 211 are connected by a shoe 283 against the under surface of which The shoe 283 therefore holds the lower run of the chain in firm contact with the caps of con- The fact that the roll 208 is hearing disclosed in said 13 tainers moving beneath the same. The under surface oi shoe 283 is downwardly bowed to a slight extent and is held in the position illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b by a spring 288 mounted upon a bolt 281 pivotally connected to the shoe as indicated at 288, one end of the spring bearing upon a bracket 289 fixed to the superstructure bars 88. As is fully described in said Stewart patent, a container moving beneath the belt 33 may raise the shoe 283 slightly, but the only movement which the shoe can have is alonga diagonal line extending upwardly toward the outfeed end of the capping, chain 33. That is, the shoe and chain 33 will swing bodily about the pivots 68 and 69 and upwardly toward the outfeed end of the capping mechanism.

The leveling belt 32 is preferably of fabric or other bodily flexible material in order that the cap tops will not be marred by the same. Belt 32 moves about the pulley 288 positioned immediately adjacent the cap applying mechanism 29 and also about a, pulley 34, with the major portion of its runs in contact with the corresponding runs of the capping chain 33. The pulley 288 is carried by a shaft 298 journalled in the bracket 28! and bracket 28l is pivoted upon a pin 291 extending through the lower end of a hanger 298 hooked over super-structure rod 69 and suitably held against swinging. In order that the pulley 288 may have a limited upward swinging movement on hanger 298, an arm 299 extends upwardly from bracket 28l between collars spaced on a stud 388 fixed to hanger 298. A spring may be provided behind the inner collar which is slidable on the stud. However, the outer collar is threaded upon the stud. The downward swinging movement of the bracket 28! carrying pulley 288 is limited by a bolt 38l threaded in the lower portion of bracket 238.

The above adjustable mounting of roll 288 will be so set that the lower run of belt 32 from roll 288 to the lower point of capping element 33 will be normally horizontal. Hence, roll 288 will be slightly lifted by an advancing cap as shown in Figure 10 and will therefore exert a downward holding force on the cap before the latter leaves the wiper I88, while belt 32 will exert a corresponding force until sealing occurs. In view of this, a cap cannot fall from a container and, in fact, the belt 32 will tend to actually level the cap upon the container mouth, that is bring its top wall parallel with the edge of the container mouth. This downward pressure also prevents the container from being upset.

The roll 34 at the outfeed end of belt 32 is rotatably mounted between the lower ends of a yoke 385 pivoted to the super-structure 51 at 388.

Above the pivot point yoke 385 has a coil sprin 381 connected thereto so that the roll 34 exerts tension upon the leveling belt 32. The tension of the spring 381 may be exerted by means of the adjusting arrangement generally indicated at 388. The fact that the lower run of belt 32 is held under tension by roll 34 causes the cap to be firmly held upon the container until it moves beneath the downwardly bowed portion of capping chain 33.

As is described in our above-mentioned divisional application, filed November 6, 1944, the leveling belt 32 is driven by means of its contact with the capping element or chain 33. Roller 35 is .of suificient weight to maintain the proper contact between the belt and the chain and is journalled in a yoke 3H pivoted on the superstructure at 3|2.

when the container moves beneath the downwardly bowed portion of the capping chain 33. shown at the right hand portion of Figure 4a, the cap will be moved to a firmly seated position upon the container due to the fact that the lower run of the capping chain is arranged at the proper height to squarely seat the cap upon a container of the minimum possible height of that particular size. Containers taller than this minimum height will act upon the lower run of chain 33, through belt 32, to lift the shoe 283 to swing on the links 218 and 2H in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4a and against the action of the spring 286. In other words, the capping shoe 283 and in fact the entire capping chain, will move diagonally along a line inclined upwardly toward the outfeed end of the capping mechanism.

The fabric belt 32 moving at the same linear speed as the capping belt 33 insures that caps will not be marred by the metal links of the chain 33. In order that the belt 32 will be held properly centered upon" chain 33 a pair of vertically mounted sheaves 3l-5 are positioned adjacent the outfeed end of the belt. These sheaves are carried on links 3l6 horizontally pivoted at 3I1 upon the ends of downwardly projecting and adjustably mounted arms 3 l8.

As best shown in Figure 1, the mouth 328 of a water jet pipe 32l may be positioned adjacent the outfeed end of each pair of centering belts 2I8 so as to remove from these belts any container contents which may drop upon them from an over-filled container.

It will be noted that all driven elements of the machine which contact with containers or caps move at the same speed with the possible exception of the disc 24 which supplies caps to the passageway 25. It is at least necessary that the centering and holding belts 2l8, container supporting conveyor 38, the leveling and holding belt 32 and capping chain 33 move at the same linear speed in order to prevent containers from being upset.

The'general operation of the entire apparatus has been set forth above in the opening portion of the specification and the detailed operation of each mechanism has been set forth in connection with the description of the construction of such mechanism.

It will be understood that while the various mechanisms disclosed herein operate together with a high degree of efiiciency, nevertheless the separate mechanisms may be used with other mechanisms for operating upon caps and containers.

Subject matter disclosed but not claimed herein may be claimed in our above-mentioned divisional agplication, Serial No. 562,110, filed November 6,

The terminology used in the specification is for the purpose of description and not limitation, the

" scope of the invention being indicated in the claims.

We claim:

1. The combination in a capping apparatus, of an inclined cap chute, container advancing means movable beneath said chute, a stop device at the lower end of said chute adapted to be contacted by the skirt of a cap, movable means to bear upon the top wall of a cap to hold the latter down wardly against said sto said means comprising a pair of transversely spaced fingers extending substantially parallel to said chute. said fingers being pivoted to the chute adjacent their upper ends to have their lower and free ends bear upon opposite portions of the cap top wall along a line transversely of the cap chute, and means to level a cap. upon a container comprising a-member pivoted on said chute between said fingers and including a cap engaging face arranged at an angle to said chute.

2. The combination in a capping apparatus, of an inclined cap supply chute, means to advance a container beneath the cap chute, an upwardly projectin cap skirt engaeina stop rigidly secured to the lower end of said chute, means to hold a cap in engagement with said stop and guide it from an inclined position to a level position upon a container moving beneath the chute including a planar cap engaging portion extending at an angle tothe chute and to the container advancing means, and resilient means to hold said lastnamed means against the cap.

3. The combination in a capping apparatus, of an inclined cap supply chute, means to limit the downward movement of caps in said chute, a member pivoted above said chute including transversely spaced fingers adapted to contact with the top wall of the cap and normally lie in a plane substantially parallel to such wall of the cap, and a second member pivoted above said chute and normally lying at an angle to said first member, said second member being adapted to normally contact with the lowermost cap in the chute at a point in advance of said first member.

4. The combination in a capping apparatus, of

an inclined cap supply chute, means to limit the downward movement of caps in said chute, a

. member pivoted above said chute including transversely spaced fingers adapted to contact with the top wall of the cap and normally lie in a plane substantially parallel to such wall of the cap, a second member pivoted above said chute and normally lying at an angle to said first member, said second member being adapted to normally contact with the lowermost cap in the chute at a point in advance of said first member, said second member having a transverse width substantially corresponding to the width of the area occupied by the fingers of said first member.

5. The combination in a container capping apparatus, of a base, moving means carried by Said base to support a container, a capieeding element positioned on said base above said container supporting means and including a horizontal passageway adapted to initially receive caps at one end thereof, and a downwardly inclined passageway ioining the other end of the horizontal passageway to receive caps from the latter, the downwardly inclined passageway having means at its outlet end to apply a cap to a container moving beneath the same, said element being pivoted on said base at a point adjacent the cap receiving end of the horizontal passageway to enable said outlet end to be vertically adjusted with respect to the container supporting means ithout varying the cap receiving end of the ho zontal passageway 6. The combination in a capping apparatus, of an inclined cap chute, container advancing means movable beneath said chute, a rigid stop device extending upwardly from the lower end of said chute adapted to be contacted by the skirt of a cap, pivoted means extending transversely of the cap including a portion substantially parallel with the surface of the cap chute to bear upon the top wall of a cap to hold the latter downwardly 16 against said stop, said pivoted means including an outer portion extending at an angle to the surface of the cap chute to bear upon a cap moving over said stop device, and resilient means to use said pivoted means toward the surface of said cap chute.

7. The combination in a capping apparatus, of an inclined cap chute, container advancing means movable beneath said chute, a rigid stop device extending upwardly from the lower end of said chute adapted to be contacted by the skirt of a cap. pivoted means extending transversely of the cap including a portion substantially parallel with the surface of the cap chute to bear upon the top wall of a cap to hold the latter downwardly against said stop, said pivoted means including an outer portion extending at an angle to the surface of the cap chute to bear upon a cap moving over said stop device, resilient means to urge said pivoted means toward the surface of said cap chute, and spring-pressed arms pivoted on a vertical axis at each side of the lower end of said chute to exert lateral pressure upon a cap moving over said stop.

9. In combination, an inclined cap chute. stop means to limit the movement of the lowermost cap in the chute, means to move a container beneath the chute, leveling means carried by and movable with respect to the chute to level upon a container a cap withdrawn from the chute,

said leveling means including a face extending substantially parallel with the surface of the cap chute to bear upon the top wall of a cap to hold the latter downwardly against said stop, said leveling means also including an outer portion extending at an angle to the surface of the cap chute to bear upon a cap moving over said stop means, means moving with the container moving means to engage a cap withdrawn by a container before such cap moves out of contact with said outer portion of said leveling means, and means associated with said last-named means to move the cap to sealed position upon the container.

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,964,078 Podel June 26, 1934 1,615,040 Risser Jan. 18, 1927 1,407,901 Taliaferro Feb. 28, 1922 1,503,034 Dalrymple July 29, 1924 2,132,335 White Oct. 4, 1938 1,446,359 Thom Feb. 20, 1923 1,738,783 McClatchie Dec. 10, 1929 1,506,209 Wehnert Aug. 26, 1924 1,387,461 Birch Aug. 16, 1921 2,169,973 Davies Aug. 15, 1939 2,047,846 Wright July 14, 1936 1,704,227 Stroppel Mar. 5, 1929 1,664,514 Kramer Apr. 3, 1928 2,158,675 Davies May 16, 1939 1,172,447 Forte Feb. 22, 1916 1,955,704 Bahelka Apr. 17, 1934 894,307 Zofnass July 28, 1908 2,041,891 White May 26, 1936 2,347,668 Davies May 2, 1944 

